New dog walking restrictions for Honiton begin today

New restrictions governing where you are allowed to walk your dogs have come into force in Honiton today (May 1).

The restrictions are part of two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) which were due to expire on May 2.

Honiton Dog Exclusion Areas:

-Upland Chase play area

-Willow Walk play area

-Biddington Way play area

-Heron Road playground

-St Leonard's play area

-Langford Avenue play area

-Jerrard Close play area

-Millers Way play area (Davey playing field)

-Mountbatten playing field

-Allhallows play area (Northcote Lane)

-Allhallows skate park (School Lane)

-Charles Road play area

-Pale Gate Close play area

-Glen Farm play area

-Dove Close play area

-Whitebridges play area (Honiton Bottom Road)

-Cherry Close play area (Old Elm Road)

-Butts Close play area

-St Marks play area

-Woodmans Park (Crosscut Way)

-Brand Lane play area

-Phillips Square play area

Dog On Lead Areas:

-The Glen

The following footpaths:

-The permissive path from Battishorne Way to Roundball Wood

-Farway Common Road via golf course to Wad Moor Lane

-The Gissage Riverside Walk at Littletown

-Footpath 1. From opposite Hawthorn Close to the rear of Millhead Road to Ernsborough Gardens

-Footpath 3. Vine Inn Yard, Greyhound Plot, Northcote Lane

-Footpath 4. High Street to Chapel Street and St Michael's Day Centre

-Footpath 6. From Church Hill to Pine Park Road

-Footpath 7. Pine Park Road Railway Bridge through Westcott Way and Orchard Way to the roundabout on Kings Road

-Footpath 8. Through the Glen into Parsonage Lane

-Footpath 9. Top of Church Hill through Lych Gate past St Michael and All Angels Church into Lower Marlpits Hill

-Footpath 10. From St Michael and All Angels Church through cemetery and into Gardiners Lane

-Footpath 11. From Church Hill through part of Avenue Mezidon-Canon to Haydons Park

-Footpath 12. From Beech Grove past Hale Farm and into Axminster Road

-Footpath 13. From Hale Farm to Northcote Hill past Perrie Hale Nursery

-Footpath 14. From Hale Farm to Hutgate Lane and onto Northcote Hill Farm

-Footpath 15. From footpath I 2 east of Hale Farm to and across Axminster Road to Springfield Road (both paths)

-Footpath 17. Lower Marlpits Hill through golf course and into Farway Common Road

-Footpath 19. From Langford Road near Langford Bridge to Monkton Road

-Footpath 23. Higher Brand Lane at Gardiners Cross to Weatherill Road opposite Buttery Road

-Footpath 24. From Rosemount Lane to Millers Way

-Footpath 25. Church Street between High Street and Silver Street

The council has acknowledged the request of some residents to suspend parts of the orders to allow dog walking on local beaches.

A council spokesperson said: "The council has considered this request, but the legislation does not permit suspensions and officers have noted that the beaches have been very quiet during April, when dogs are not banned.

"The council also must consider the view of the many members of the public who like to come to the beaches without worrying about being bothered by dogs. Therefore, suspending this part of the order would have no effect, and would lead to confusion when the lockdown is relaxed or lifted."

According to EDDC the orders have been very successful with a 'high level of compliance' and a reduction in the number of enquiries about nuisance dogs, dogs on beaches and dog fouling.

An EDDC spokesperson added: "A particularly successful control has been the one which requires all dogs to be on leads on roads and pavements, and this has led to a decline in incidents where dogs worry walkers, runners and cyclists."

Councillor Geoff Jung, portfolio holder for Environment, said: "I'm really pleased on the success of the previous orders, which resulted in our streets, footpaths and open areas being cleaner than for many years, as most of our residents and visitors are doing the right thing, particularly on and around our beaches, because they understand the benefits of these controls.

"Following the recent public consultation Town and Parish Councils and the public suggested various changes that we have now included in these new orders. I would like to thank the Environmental Health team who carried out the recent public consultation and redrafted the orders.

"The team has worked hard over the past few years to make the PSPOs a success including many initiatives, particularly through the Parish and Town Councils and our local schools.

"I would ask all of our residents to make sure that they continue to help keep East Devon a clean and safe place to live in and visit."

For more information on EDDC's PSPOs, click here.